Pain relief advice please

[WarpKitten]

Hello

I'm 34 weeks and keep changing my mind about what pain relief to opt for. I'm told I can't have a waterbirth because I'm 40 and I really felt like it was a good option.

I've heard that having an epidural increases your chances of having instrumental delivery with forceps, which terrifies me. Also, does anyone know if you can refuse forceps or the suction thing? iI think I'd rather have a c section!

Can't they invent teleport deliveries by now?!

I'm a wimp I know!

This is a really personal thing, and it's hard to know in advance what will be right for you. There's no shame in pain relief or in having an epidural!

A TENS machine helped me, and gas and air was very good too.

I had gas and air and diamorphine injections. I tried a TENS machine but kept getting electrocuted when the wires disconnected from the pads! I wrote in my birth plan that I didnt want an epidural and a C-Section was a very last resort

Have you really pushed the water birth thing? It seems like a strange rule unless they're planning to have you on continuous monitoring. I had pethidine with my first during a very brutal induction, which at the time saved me but sent me doolally. The second I had a water birth at home with a bit of gas and air, the third I did hypnobirthing, and even though I was induced and not at home as planned I needed no pain relief.

There are loads of other stories I could share, but I think the best advice is to keep an open mind. The Fear will make whatever your experience much worse. Don't listen to horror stories, and try and stay positive. Also having someone there with you that you can absolutely trust to make decisions on your behalf is very helpful. And not just trust, who knows and understands what you want (easier said than done for the first time when you don't know how it will go). Me and my DH just about had it sorted by the third time!

Just keep thinking about that beautiful baby that will be in your arms soon. Good luck!

If you are undecided, but not against an epidural, I would discuss it with your midwife to put it in your notes, so they will be somewhat prepared if you do want one on the day.

If you don't, and then do want one on the day, the anaesthetist may not be able to accommodate you.

I had 2 'mobile' epidurals for my first 2 labours, which you can still get up (with help) and move around, and didn't need any medical intervention. But yes, as you say, it can increase the chance of intervention, but every birth is different.

I would put it as a possibility, on your notes, and then see how you do on the day.
You could be fine just on nothing, or gas an air or you could be in need of more pain relief.

For my 3rd, I didn't have anything...so my advice to you is to go with the flow on the day. Good luck with it all!

How about go in with the mindset of no pain relief? Not all women need it, and in fact many don't even get a chance to use it. You don't have to pick what you want now, particaully as you don't know how you will handle the pain. Who knows? You may be stronger than you give yourself credit for?

The no-water thing sounds odd - you can have a bath while you're still at home to help during the first part too. Also, look at yoga and hypno-birthing techniques,

I would think about a sliding scale. Ask your MW about a TENS machine, she may be able to loan you one. Get used to using it. Then maybe gas and air next.

Suck it and see...you may well have a fast, trouble free labour and cope beautifully, you may have one contraction and decide an epidural is the only way! I've pretty much done both . Nobody can make you do anything...keep an open mind and it can all be discussed along the way..I had forceps with my daughter, but agreed with the consultant that if she didn't come easily we would go straight for c/s..no tugging allowed! My son was born with no problems and I also had an emergency ventouse which got the baby out far quicker than getting prepped for theatre when his heartbeat was in his boots..he needed resus but recovered very quickly and with no problems. Open mind is definately the way...even in an emergency or if you are in pain you still will have control and your dp can be a brilliant advocate.

Omg warp, why would you rather have a section? That's daft. I had forceps with DC1 which was horrific, decided I couldn't go through the same with DC2 went for epidural at 5cms, got easily to FD needed suction at the end but overall fab delivery

I also wanted a water birth initially, but as I am epileptic they said no way, and that they'd recommend an epidural to cope with the pain. I was gutted at the time, but glad in the end cos I didn't even like being in the bath at the start of my labour!

My epi was brill, but don't rely on it - I had to wait about an hour for mine as both anaesthetists were busy. I had a normal delivery without any assistance at all.

I'd keep an open mind. Don't plan too much, as your labour probably won't go anything like you expect!

Oh, and gas and air is a lot more effective than you think, as long as you time it properly! xxx

Thanks for sharing all your experiences, sounds like everyone is different and best to see how it goes... Has anyone found pethidine or diamorphine any good?

The best thing to do is go in with an open mind - do your research about what pain relief is available, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each kind. That way you'll know exactly what to ask for at the time.

By all means think about your preferences, but also be prepared for these to change when it comes to it. I was adamant I didn't want any drugs but was screaming for an epidural as soon as my waters went. Meanwhile, a close friend was planning to take every drug on offer but ended up with nothing, not even gas and air.

I was in a normal bath for most of my delivery and it was really effective pain relief. You just get out to push! But a big water pool may not be entirely necessary. I delivered with only gas and air in the end although was open minded which I think helps.

Easier said than done but relaxing is very important.

X

Hi op.

Im on dc6. I actually agree with your view of having a c section rather than forceps.

Im 40. I intend on having a waterbirth...this will be my 3rd water birth. Unless some presents me with sound & strong medical evidence of a medical need not to have a waterbirth.

With my first 3 dc I used gas & air. My plan was to start off with gas & air & work my way up but coped with gas &air so never ended up using anything else.

Keep an open mind. Don't be scared. Relax the

Sorry posted too soon...

Relax the pain doesn't last forever.

Take care.

The pain doesn't last forever.
Have some patience. It should help. :)

My wonderful midwife suggested I try diamorphine as I was struggling on just gas and air and asked for an epidural. I think she suggested it as I'd written in my birth plan that I wanted to try and avoid the epidural (like you I hated the thought of forceps etc). She sold it to me on the basis that I could have the diamorphine and then still have an epidural if necessary, but once I had the epidural I couldn't have anything else.

To be honest it sent me a bit doolally, but it was great - I slept for an hour or two and by the time I woke up I was past the panicky, overwhelmed stage I was at when I was asking for an epidural (probably due to the opiates but it did the trick!).

Am now 35 weeks with DC2 and I intend to adopt the same approach this time (aiming for gas and air only, diamorphine if G&A isn't cutting it, epidural as last resort).

Good luck OP! If I can do it anyone can

Warp
I am totally with you in preferring a CS to forceps delivery! That to me does not seem unreasonable. I would much rather an abdominal incision than potential 3rd/4th degree tear of the perineum.

A good friend got through almost the entire birth on G&A then needed forceps at the end, only got a bit of local anaesthetic plus an episiotomy which extended into 3rd degree tear.

She wasn't too sprightly for a good few weeks, however she was delighted that she'd got a vaginal birth, despite the damage done. I am so the opposite of this!
Reckon it's horses for courses as the saying goes.

I do accept that if there is absolutely no time you may have no choice- but this doesn't really occur often if you're being monitored efficiently and the HCPs are on the ball (ok that's another worrying part!).

PS the whole no water birth because you're 40 seems very odd!

I'd definitely push for it more, unless you have any other complications or medical conditions that would rule you out.

Good luck with getting it sorted

As others have said I wouldn't rule anything out completely as you never know what will happen. Just state your preferences and go from there.

I had an epidural and would definately do it again this time if I need it. I did have to have forceps as ds heart rate dropped suddenly and they wanted him out. There would have been no time for a c/s, and it could of happened with or without the epidural. I did need to be cut, and tore a bit aswell which is obviously not pleasant for a week or 2 after. But I really can't imagine it being worse than a c/s where it would be a lot harder to walk about afterwards and also being unable to drive for 4-6 weeks.

A mobile epidural is a slightly lower dose than a full epidural and have heard the risk of other intervention is a bit less with it. Worth asking if you hospital offers it, don't think everywhere does.